MTB Handlebars: Our Top 5 Picks for 2018! [Video]

Overview

What handlebars should I use? The question we have often asked ourselves but when it comes down to searching the oceans of options on the market, how can you simply choose one? There are so many different disciplines, weights, widths, rises, angles, blah blah blah. We get it. We made it a little easier for you and made a list of our Top 5 most popular MTB Handlebars. Below is an assortment of carbon and alloy bars at different price points that are capable of handling anything.

Renthal Fatbar Carbon Handlebars

Renthal has been conquering both the Moto and MTB industries for a good while and with a strong statement. Racers have been winning World Cup and EWS races aboard the Renthal Fatbar Carbon. Many riders have fallen in love with the gold aesthetics and the durability this brand is known for. The Fatbar is not as aggressive as other bars on the market. The bar features an upsweep of 5 degrees, a backsweep of 7 degrees, a width of 800mm and a weight of 305g.

• Material: Carbon
• Bar Clamp Diameter: 31.8mm, 35mm
• Price: $152
• Upsweep: 5 Degrees
• Backsweep: 7 Degrees
• Available Width: 780mm, 800mm
• Rise: 10mm, 20mm, 30mm, 40mm
• Weight: 305g

Race Face Next R Handlebars

The Race Face Next R Carbon Handlebars were introduced in 2017 as an alternative for enduro riding. The Next SL handlebar was known for being a lightweight XC handlebar until the Next R was released. The R stands for Rally. Taking punishment form pros in the EWS, these handlebars have proven to tackle the harshest of terrains. It has also become the most popular handlebar among the employees here at the shop. Very similar to the Chester Handlebars discussed below, the Next R Handlebar has an upsweep of 6 degrees, a backsweep of 8 degrees, a width of 800mm with plenty of room to cut and a weight of 215g.

• Material: Carbon 
• Bar Clamp Diameter: 35mm
• Price: $145
• Upsweep: 5 Degrees
• Backsweep: 8 Degrees 
• Available Width: 800mm
• Rise:10mm, 20mm, 35mm
• Weight: 215g

Crank Brothers Iodine 2 Handlebars

The Crank Brothers Iodine 2 is intended for all-mountain riding. Crank Brothers has been a top competitor in the components market for years and the reason is purely that they are meant to last. Although these are made out of aluminum, they can still take a beating without weighing down your bike! The Crank Brothers Iodine 2 Handlebars have an upsweep of 5 degrees, a backsweep of 9 degrees, a width of 780mm and a weight of 360g.

• Material: Aluminum
• Bar Clamp Diameter: 31.8mm
• Price: $49.99 
• Upsweep: 5 Degrees
• Backsweep: 9 Degrees
• Available Width: 780mm
• Rise: 30mm
• Weight: 360g

Spank Spoon Handlebars

The Spank Spoon Handlebar is a value-oriented way to personalize your bike. The Spoon Handlebar is offered in a variety of colors and is designed to work with all bikes whether you are riding trail, all-mountain, enduro, park or downhill. The Spoon features an extreme gradual taper (XGT) to help minimizes bends and breaks as well as a micro-grain refinement during the extrusion process for added strength and toughness from the metal, proving that reliable handlebars don’t have to cost you over a hundred dollars. The Spoon features a 5-degree upsweep, an 8.5-degree backsweep with a width of 785mm and a weight of 360g.

• Material: Aluminum
• Bar Clamp Diameter: 31.8mm
• Price: $49.90
• Upsweep: 5 Degrees 
• Backsweep: 8.5 Degrees
• Available Width: 785mm
• Rise: 20mm, 25mm, 40mm
• Weight: 360g

Race Face Chester Handlebar

The Race Face Chester Handlebar has made it on our top five favorite handlebars for good reason. Although the handlebar is more cost-efficient or “cheap” as some snobby bike nerds would say, they have truly proven to be a sturdy and reliable bar for all levels of riding. Costing only $39.09 USD and made of 6061 Aluminum, you might not think that some of the world’s gnarliest riders would be on such a “cheap” bar but at the end of the day, not every rider has an endless list of sponsors or unlimited funds in their bank accounts. Buying a handlebar like the Race Face Chesters will get you out on the trails without a worry in your mind. Getting tech with it, these bars have a 6-degree upsweep, a 9-degree backsweep, a width of 780mm and a weight of only 400g.

• Material: Aluminum
• Bar Clamp Diameter: 35mm  
• Price: $39, $46 USD
• Upsweep: 6 Degrees
• Backsweep: 9 Degrees
• Available Width: 740mm, 780mm
• Rise: 10mm, 20mm, 35mm, 1"